John Lee Samurai Swords: Kamakura Tachi
The Kamakura period (1185-1333) was a crucial part in the history of Japan. It is characterized by the first military government (shogunate) which was built by Minamoto no Yoritomo 1192 The name of this era is derived from the former seat of government, southwest of Tokyo in Kamakura City.

Hand-forged from hardened carbon steel with two bamboo (Mekugi) is fixed in the handle. Fine and simply decorated (Tsuba, Fuchi, Kashira, Menkui) handle is traditionally wrapped with black silk, lined with authentic ray skin. Detailed saya with leather inserts and high quality two colour cotton Sageo
comes with collectors box, with cloth bag. Based on Museum original

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length up Tsuba: 76 cm
Handle Length: 32.5 cm
Overall length without scabbard: 109 cm
Weight without scabbard: 1240 g

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Hannya Katana
The Hannya mask is from the Japanese kabuki theatre and probably the most famous Japanese mask reproduced.

Sharp hand forged blades made from 1095 high carbon steel. Tempered with authentic hamon & blade edge 60 HRC, 40 HRC on the mune.
Habaki brass Tsuka in black cotton, lined with authentic ray skin
Blade is double pegged (Mekugi) in the handle

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length 75 cm to Tsuba
Overall length: 108 cm
Handle Length: 32 cm
Weight without scabbard: 1200 g

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Dragon (shinto) Katana
This sword is both of high quality and a reasonable price for a genuine handforged katana. Beside beginners starting into this class of swords it is also highly interesting for collectors broaden their collection or looking for an affordable real sword.The blade is mirror polished, hand forged from high carbon steel & secured by two meguki to the handle. The handle wrapping is black cotton and of course wrapped by hand. The fittings are made from blackened iron. The wood saya is hand carved per sword and traditionally lacquered. A free solid wood display box is included with this sword.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length to tsuba: 72 cm
Blade´s curvature (sori): 18-20 mm
Thickness of the blade´s back: 5-6 mm
Handle length: 31 cm

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Musashi collection.
Myamoto Musashi lived from 1584 to 1645 and was one of Japan's most famous samurai. He is referred to as one of the best Japanese swordsman, as well as a famed artist he was the founder of Nito Ryu, two handed swordsmanship. The Musashi Ichi Katana has a handforged high carbon steel blade with a fine hamon and has been tempered traditionally. The sharp blade features a bo-hi (fuller) to reduce the total weight. The handle (tsuka) is made of wood, and is traditionally wrapped in black cotton. The tang is especially long and fixed with two bamboo pegs (mekugi).The scabbard (saya) is made of wood and deeply lacquered in black.

Katana, wakizashi & tanto each come with a display box.
This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length to tsuba: 73 cm
Total length without scabbard: 103,5 cm
Blade´s curvature (sori): 18-20 mm
Handle length: 31 cm

handmade katana specifications will vary from piece to piece

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: daimyo katana.
The nobleman & warlords were known in ancient Japan as Daimyo and comparable to the medieval Lord. This sword's tsuba depicts the historically famous Daimyo known as Oda Nobunaga (1534 - 1582) holding a fan.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

total length: approx.  103 cm
blade length: approx. 72 cm
hilt length: approx. 29 cm
blade curve (sori): approx. 18-20 mm
blade thickness: approx. 5-6 mm
weight without scabbard: approx. 1.02 kg
weight with scabbard: approx. 1.3 kg

handmade katana specifications will vary from piece to piece

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Prince Asano Samurai katana
Asano Naganori, 1667 – 1701) was the daimyo of the Akō Domain in Japan (1675 - 1701). His title was Takumi no Kami. He is known as the person who triggered a series of incidents retold in a story known as Chushingura, one of the favourite themes of kabuki, joruri and Japanese books and films.

In 1680, he was appointed to the office of Takumi no Kami, the head of carpentry at the imperial court, but this office was nominal, as were other offices granted to samurai at that time, and only had an honorific meaning. As a daimyo with a small fief, he was appointed several times to temporary minor offices of the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1683, he was first appointed to be one of two officials to host the emissaries from the imperial court to the Shogunate. It was the first time he met Kira Yoshinaka, the highest-ranking koke, the head of ceremonial matters at the Shogunate, who instructed officials in the manner of hosting noble guests from Kyoto.

In 1694, he suffered from a serious illness. He had no children, thus no heir at that time. When a daimyo died without a determined heir, his house would be abolished by the Shogunate, and his lands confiscated; his retainers would become ronin. To prevent this, he adopted his younger brother Asano Nagahiro, titled Daigaku, and Nagahiro was accepted as his heir by the Shogunate.

In 1701, he was appointed for the second time to the same office. It is said that he was then on bad terms with Kira Yoshinaka and tension between them increased.

On the day of his death, he drew his sword and attempted to kill Kira in the Corridor of the Pines at Edo Castle in what is now Tokyo. He wounded, but failed to kill Kira. On the same day, the fifth Tokugawa shogun Tsunayoshi sentenced him to commit seppuku, which he did after writing his death poem:

"kaze sasofu / hana yori mo naho / ware wa mata / haru no nagori o / ika ni toyasen."

"More than the cherry blossoms, Inviting a wind to blow them away, I am wondering what to do, With the remaining springtime."

He was buried in the graveyard of Sengaku-ji. His retainers became ronin when the Shogunate confiscated his fief. Under the leadership of Oishi Kuranosuke they avenged the death of their lord by killing Kira at his mansion in Edo on December 15, 1702. These former retainers became famous as the Forty-seven Ronin, and the vendetta ranks as one of the most famous vendettas in Japan.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length 73 cm to Tsuba
Overall length without scabbard 98 cm
Handle length 25 cm
Blade sori (curve) 19 mm
Weight without scabbard 1100 g
Weight with scabbard 1400 g

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Arashi Katana
The Raptor Unokubi-Zukuri (Cormorants Neck) blade design is patterned after the shape of the Naginata, the powerful long-handled weapon popular between the 12th and 14th centuries. Notable for the strongly relieved shinogi-ji and diamond-shaped kissaki, the Unokubi-Zukuri provides excellent balance in a strong cutting blade.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length 72 cm to Tsuba
Overall length without scabbard 104.5 cm
Handle length 33 cm
Blade curvature (sori), about 18-20 mm
Back of the blade thickness about 5-6 mm
Max blade width 30 mm
Weight without scabbard 1010 grams
Weight with sheath 1350 grams

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Practical Katana
Sharp blade made from hand-forged 1095 carbon steel. Differentiated hardened with clay coating, real hamon line Suitable for cutting practice, 60 HRC on the blade, 40 HRC on the back Habaki made from brass. Handle wrapped with black cotton, underlaid with real ray skin Blade fixed at handle with two nogs (Mekugi) Sheath matt varnished.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length 73 cm to Tsuba
Overall length without scabbard 104 cm
Handle length 30,5 cm
Blade curvature (sori) 18-20 mm
Mune 5-6 mm
Max blade width 30 mm
Weight without scabbard 1050 grams
Weight with sheath 1300 grams

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Bamboo Katana
Handforged from carbon steel and traditionally hardened the sharpened blade has a bo-hi (groove) for weight reduction
the tsuka (handle) is hand made of with real ray skin the hilt is cotton wrapped (tsuka-ito) in traditional diamonds and secured with two bamboo pegs (mekugi) the scabbard (saya) is hand carved from wood & traditionally lacquered. This sword was crafted to a museum original.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

total length: approx. 104 cm
blade length: approx. 73.5 cm
hilt length: approx. 30 cm
blade curve (sori): approx. 18-20 mm
blade thickness: approx. 5-6 mm
weight without scabbard: approx. 1 kg
weight with scabbard: approx. 1.3 kg

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Noh katana
The tsuba of this katana features actors of the traditional Japanese Noh-theatre, which originates from the 13th century and is still today very popular. The Noh Katana has a handforged from high carbon steel with a fine hamon and has been tempered traditionally. The sharp blade features a hi (fuller) to reduce the total weight. The handle (tsuka) is made of wood and includes genuine ray skin. in addition it has been traditionally wrapped in red cotton. The tang is especially long and fixed with two bamboo pegs (mekugi). The scabbard (saya) is made of wood and has a red high gloss finish. This katana has been made according to original museum peice.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length to tsuba: 73 cm
Total length without scabbard: 100 cm
Blade´s curvature (sori): 18-20 mm
Thickness of the blade´s back: 5-6 mm
Handle length: 26,5 cm
Weight without scabbard: 1100 g
Weight with scabbard: 1350

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Bamboo katana Special Edition
Handforged from carbon steel and traditionally hardened the sharpened blade has a bo-hi (groove) for weight reductionthe tsuka (handle) is hand made of with real ray skin the hilt is cotton wrapped (tsuka-ito) in traditional diamonds and secured with two bamboo pegs (mekugi) the scabbard (saya) is hand carved from wood & traditionally lacquered. This sword was crafted to a museum original. This special edition includes two extra stuba, deluxe display case and heavy silk beautifu sword bag.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length up Tsuba: about 73.5 cm
Overall length without scabbard: 104 cm
Handle Length: 30 cm
Blade curvature (sori): about 18 - 20 mm
Mune: 5 - 6 mm
Maximum blade width: 30 mm
Weight without scabbard: approximately 1060 grams
Weight with scabbard: 1300 grams

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Golden Flower katana
The Golden Flower Katana features an extraordinarily beautiful tsuba which is based on an original, made in the 1700's. The tsuba has been intricately decorated with golden cherry blossoms (sakura). The cherry blossom is one of the most important symbols in Japanese culture, representing beauty and the transience of life. The katana is a folded steel blade with a fine hamon and has been tempered traditionally. In addition, the steel of the blade has been folded 12 times, creating 8000 layers which give's the sword a beautiful grain pattern (known as hada). The sharp blade features a bo-hi (groove) to reduce the total weight. The handle (tsuka) is made of wood, tightly wrapped with black cotton and real sam'e gawa (ray skin). The full tang is fixed with two bamboo pegs (mekugi). The scabbard (saya) is made of wood with deep black lacquer. This katana has been reproduced to original museum piece making it an exceptional addition to anyones collection. A free display box is included.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length to tsuba: 74 cm
Total length: 104 cm
Blade´s curvature (sori): 18-20 mm
Handle length: 30 cm

This sword is sharp

John Lee: Golden Autumn Katana
this beautiful hand forged & 12 times folded blade is from 1095 high carbon steel
with 60HRC cutting edge & 40HRC hardened at the back of the blade.
The tsuba, menuki, fuchi and kashira are handmade and represent the season of autumn. The handle is wrapped in silk, lined with traditional paper triangles (called hishigami) and includes authentic ray skin, two mekugi (bamboo pegs) secure the tsuka (handle) to the full tang (nakago). Black, high gloss lacquered saya (scabbard) is finished with real ray skin underneath the clear lacquer and flatted smooth saya, the koiguchi, kurigata, kojiri are made of genuine buffalo horn.
Supplied in wooden box with cloth bag.
Produced by museum originals.

Blade length up Tsuba: 72.5 cm
Handle Length: 29 cm
Overall length without scabbard: 102.5 cm
Weight without scabbard: 1290 g

This sword is sharp

Fudoshin Samurai Swords: Fujisan katana
The Mount Fuji the highest mountain in Japan. which last erupted in 1707, features in many historical Japanese artowrk, it is believed to be a holy mountain Fuji translates to rich warrior mountain Fu means rich, Ji means warrior, San means mountain The Tsuba shows blade on the side facing Mount Fuji, and on the back of a Samurai duel. The blade of the sword is hand forged from carbon steel and hardened in the traditional way and folded 12 times resulting in about 8000 fold layers. The handle is hand carved from wood, double pegged and tightly wrapped with black cotton. The sword is made according to a museum piece.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

• hand forged 1095 carbon steel 
• blade type Maru
• blade: HRC60
• blade back: HRC40
• blade length: 27.48"
• total length: 41.04"
• lacquered wooden Saya (scabbard)
• handle is coated with authentic ray skin
• handle is traditionally wrapped with cotton and silk thread
• blade is sharp
  
  This sword is sharp
  

John Lee Samurai Swords: yamada katana
The blade of the sword is hand forged from carbon steel and forged in traditional way with fine hamon. Tight black cotton wrapped handle with genuine ray skin underneath. The sword is manufactured according to museum documents.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length 72 cm to Tsuba
Overall length without scabbard 100 cm
Overall length with scabbard 105 cm
Handle length 27 cm
Blade curvature (sori) ca.18-20 mm
mune 5-6 mm
Max blade width 30 mm
Weight without scabbard 1150 grams
Weight with sheath 1450 grams

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Shintai katana
The blade is folded 12 times (about 8000 layers) with a beautiful grain pattern called hada and a full bo-hi groove to the blade.
The handle (Tsuka) is made of wood, with authentic ray skin (Same)
The handle wrap (Tsuka-Ito) is mounted in black cotton.
Based on a museum piece

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length 72 cm to Tsuba
length without scabbard 101 cm
Sori (curve) 20 mm
Handle length 28 cm
Weight without scabbard 1100 grams
Weight with sheath 1400 grams

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: Shintai katana
The handforged blade with fuller (Bo-Hi) is made of 1095 carbon steel made in Honsanmei-Style, traditionally hardenend through clay-coating. With real Hamon-line. 60 HRC at the scabbard, 40 HRC at the back. The blade collar (Habaki) is brass and the casted tsuba shows a samurai-image.
Grip-wrap is Katate Maki-Style (battle-wrap) made of black cotton, under which real blackened ray skin is underlayed. Two dowels (Mekugi) fix the blade in the grip.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length to Tsuba: 77 cm
Overall length without scabbard: 109, 5 cm
Blade curve (Sori): 2.7 cm
Back strength: 7.5 mm
Max blade width: 3cm
Weight without scabbard: 1220g
Weight with scabbard: 1550g

This sword is sharp

John Lee Samurai Swords: ten kei katana
"Ten Kei", translated means "gift from heaven" and refers to the beauty of nature. This sword is beautiful, both in terms of the mount, and in relation to the blade Hand forged from 1095 carbon steel and features a full bo-hi (groove. Traditional hardening of the blade with differentiated tempre, producing a authentic hamon. 60° Rockwell on the cutting edge & 40° at the mune. the handle is tightly wrapped in dark green cotton and double pegged to the tang.

This sword is curved and traditionally handforged, no licence needed

Blade length up Tsuba: 71 cm
Overall length: 100cm
Overall length with scabbard: 104cm
Handle Length: 29cm
Curvature (sori): 2cm
Habaki: 3.5cm
Blade width of the transition to the point (Kisaki): 2.5cm
Weight with scabbard: 1310g
Weight without scabbard: 1045g

This sword is sharp